Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-06-30

Seiflshnsss, with an Imaginary
s.oBgtng 10 Sacrifice aia Interests.
Philadelphia Ledger.
II is one of the oommonest mistakes of
life, and also one of the moot radical
sources of evil, TO wait for opportunities.
Many persons, while admitting the pau.
city of their lives, and regretting that
they contribute SO little TO the general
stock of happiness, or TO their own i'm.
provement, attribute 1t TO their lack of
opportunity. They are looking for some
marked event, or some grand opening,
through which they hope to develop what
may be in them, and thus make potent
character which now, from lack of
motive, is barren and unfruitful. The
waste Of life caused by such mistaken
waiting is incalculable. For the real
materials out of which our characters are
forming, are the hourly occurrences of
everyday life. Every claim of duty, tho
employment Of each minute, the daily
vexations or troubles we are called upon
to bear, the momentary decisions that
| must be made, the casual interview, the
contact with sin or sorrow in their every
day dress--Rll these, and many others as
small and as constant, are the real oppor-
tunities of life. These we are continually
embracing or neglecting, and out Of them
| we arc forming o character that is fast
consolidating into the shape we give it,
! for good OF for evil Those who are
waiting fax important events, grand
| isFues and marked crises, overlook this
grssIs tact aid sirIft aiInlessly along the
current that seems to them so placid as
to require no effort, but which is bearing
down with fatal swiftness all those who
do not energetically breast its waves and
resists its powers.
The best proofs Of O noble character lie
not so much in the manner OF doing great
things or bearing great burdens, as in the
way of receiving the common events of
every day life; OF performing its duties,
bearing its crosses, and resisting its temp
tations. There are not few who look
upon the great contests Of life with almost
longing, who fancy that thoy could suffer
martyrdom with firmness, or severe aifiio-
ton with calmness while they yet rem.
der themselves and others wretched by
their discomfort over trifles, or selfshly
refuse to sacrifice small interests, while
longing in imagination for opportunities
to sacrifice all. The trueat heroism il
that which is unseen, unknown. Public
martyrdom, of every shade, has q certain
eclat and popularity connected with it.
that will often bear men up TO endure
with courage its trials but those who
suffer alone, without sympathy for truth
or principle; those who, unnotioed by
men, maintain their post, and in obscurity
and amid encouragement, patiently fulfil
their trust, these are the real heroes o
the age, and the suffering they bear is til,
truBst mRrtyrdom.
There are doubtless In the lives Of al
great crises, large opportunities, marke,
epochs. But he who waits for them, viii
be ill prepared to meet them when the,
. come. The strength to pass through then
nObly and worthily, must have aooumu
lated little by little, in the patient an,
resolute struggle of every day life. II
who fails here, will surely fail III create
things. If we neglect our little oppoi
tunities, we shall lack tho power to EN-
, brace the larger ones. Chances are lynn
open to us every moment of OH
: lives. We need not wait for them, the
are waiting for MS TO embrace them.
we watch through u single day we shal
doubtless discover hundreds OF opportu
mites of both doing and receiving good
1 that we have perhaps hitherto passed b
in indifference; and by diligent assiduit
. In seeking for and embracing these, W
I shall be prepared TO encounter the fierce
u storms Of life that may await us, or I
, take advantage of the future that ma
open for our good.
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A tug Is the only thing that has II tow